| 摘要 |
A mechanical and/or electrical connector grips onto one or more members inside a hollow passageway of a spiral connector by means of the spiral, or a portion of the spiral being pulled axially to elongate the spiral/spiral-portion, which consequently reduces the diameter of the passageway. The reduction in the diameter of the passageway causes the spiral/spiral-portion to tighten/squeeze/grip on or around the member(s) inside the passageway, to retain the member(s) inside the passageway. Thus, the spiral/spiral-portion mechanically connects the inserted member(s) to each other and/or to another object to which the spiral/spiral-portion is mechanically connected. For example, members inserted into opposite ends of the passageway, or multiple members inserted together into one end of the passageway, will be mechanically connected. The spiral/spiral-portion may be used to mechanically connect one or more members inserted into one, or optionally two ends of the passageway, to a fastener that is connected to or fixed to another object, for example, a construction or other utilitarian element. Adjustment systems may be included to length, shorten, pivot or swing portions of the connector for improved orientation and/or tension of connect members. |
| 主权项 |
1. A connector comprising:
a spiral connector comprising: a spiral having an internal passageway and the spiral being movable from a relaxed configuration having a relaxed diameter of said passageway to a tightened configuration having a tightened diameter of said passageway that is smaller than said relaxed diameter; multiple elongated members inserted into said spiral; a housing connected to the spiral and adapted to tighten the spiral to said tightened configuration so that said elongated members are retained in the passageway; wherein the housing is adapted to tighten the spiral by comprising a housing sleeve extending around the spiral and fixed to a securement region of the spiral, and a tensioner threadably engaged with a threaded region of the spiral, wherein rotation of the tensioner, relative to the threaded region of the spiral, toward the housing sleeve and with the tensioner abutting against the housing sleeve, pulls the threaded region of the spiral axially away from said securement region of the spiral to axially-lengthen the spiral and tighten the spiral into said tightened configuration. |
